Zinc transporter 8 antibodies diabetes
ZnT8-Ak from serum
ZnT8 antibodies are detected in 60-80% of white people and 24-28% of the Asian population (diagnostic specificity> 98%). ZnT8-Ab is often detected without any of the other established diabetes-specific autoantibodies being positive (in 25-30% of cases). In LADA, ZnT8 antibodies are detectable in about 35% of cases, in MODY in 19% of cases. About 20,000 Dutch people have MODY, an inherited form of diabetes. MODY is often first mistaken for type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but the treatment is different. Therefore, a correct diagnosis is important.
The level of antibodies correlates well with the mass and function of the (remaining) beta cells.
The detection of only one type of diabetic antibody does not mean anything yet, the diabetes risk will still be very low (<15%). Only the detection of multiple types of diabetes antibodies is an indication of the presence or development of autoimmune related diabetes.
